ATRT

Ambassador Chase was diagnosed with ATRT, a brain tumor, at the age of 2. Up against stacked odds, he made it through 14 months of brutal treatments with the scars to prove it. Now a local Congressman has honored his bravery with a signed Congressional Record. Chase’s mom shares what it means to them.

Congressman Peter Roskam, second from left, stands with Chase’s family.

Over the years, there have been long days and trying times that I want to get up and shout, “This is so hard!” Times when I want to pull out the soapbox for what affects my family, and talk about the lack of funding for childhood cancer research.

Most days, I don’t shout our struggle because we all have something to shout. We all struggle.

Which makes it all the more precious when someone else steps in to shout it for you.

Read more »

Earlier this month, Ambassador Chase’s dad, Bob, ran a marathon to raise money for childhood cancer research. He also raised awareness in a big way — read all about it in Chase’s mom’s account of the day.

Chase, now 5, was diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in August 2012.

Five hours and 31 minutes.

For five hours and 31 minutes he pounded the pavement, putting his feet to his purpose. And for all those hours and all those miles, past crowds, houses and fields in the November sun, he ran holding a sign in the air — “Chase Away Cancer.”

Read more »

One year ago, after a routine MRI to check for brain tumor recurrence, Chase’s doctors found some suspicious-looking spots. Since then they’ve been monitoring him closely with scans every six weeks to make sure the spots haven’t grown. Chase’s mom, Ellie, shares the news from last week’s MRI.

Chase and Ellie enjoy a pre-procedure game of “Got Your Nose.”

Read more »

Last week, 5-year-old Ambassador Chase got glasses. His mom, Ellie, shares the details of their eventful trip to the eye doctor, the ensuing diagnosis, and how it feels to know that Chase’s vision problems are a direct result of the treatment he needed to save his life.

Chase examines a popsicle through his new glasses.

Read more »

Honored Kid Ben was an astonishing 15 days old when he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. The tiny baby was a fighter and now, seven years later, Ben is cancer free. “He can hit his head and fall down and whatever. He just gets back up with a smile and keeps going like there’s nothing that stops him,” said his mom, Erin.

Ben was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor as an infant and has battled through every obstacle thrown his way.

Erin Worsham’s pregnancy was flawless.

The ultrasounds looked great. Everything went smoothly.

A week after he arrived, even the pediatrician remarked that Ben was perfect.

There was no indication of what was to come.

Read more »

We talk a lot about the parents of children with cancer, but they’re not the only ones whose roles take on new meaning when their child is diagnosed. Ambassador Chase’s mom, Ellie, gives thanks to her mom, Chase’s “Grammie,” for the way she’s loved and supported their whole family through childhood cancer and all of life’s ups and downs.

As a mother, from the first moment you hold your child — no, from the first moments you know they’re expected — you seek to protect them. You carry them and love them and do everything you can from first breath to stand between them and the hurt and pain in the world.

Read more »

A few days ago, Ambassador Chase’s big brother, Aidan, asked you to give on his head. (Read all about it!) In a mere 24 hours, you blew his $1,000 goal out of the water! But the brothers are not done yet. They’ve set their sights higher — to $5,000 for childhood cancer research. Their mom, Ellie, has something to say to you incredible people.

Brothers Karsten, Aidan and Chase have something important to tell you.

Help Aidan reach $5,000! Donate on his shavee page >

Tomorrow, Aidan shaves his head, and this week has pushed me to the edge of tears many times because of you.

Aidan asked for $1,000 and you’ve opened your hearts and lives and given him over $3,000!

Read more »

Aidan is Ambassador Chase’s brother, and he’s doing something amazing — he’s shaving his head to support his best buddy. Their mom, Ellie, talks about Aidan’s decision to go bald and how Chase’s cancer journey has affected his big brother. (We’ve got an exciting update — you helped Aidan raise more than $3,000! And he’s still going strong. Read their mom’s thank you letter to all of you.)

Help Aidan reach his $1,000 goal! Donate on his shavee page >

12 months and five days.

That’s all the time between them — my first boy and his surprise brother.

Through the years they’ve been mortal enemies and best friends and sometimes both within a matter of seconds. They played cars together and sword-fought across the whole house and back. They used to splash in the rain on the tiny condo porch and squeal in delight.

And one morning, while he lay in his bed, Aidan watched us surround his brother and carry him out.

Read more »

The last three days were big ones in the life of Ambassador Chase. He knew the MRI was coming, and he was scared. And when it was over, he had to wait to find out if his cancer had returned. His mom, Ellie, shares these words.

Read the last update on Chase >

Still rumpled and rosy from sleep, mismatched in his Lightning McQueen bottoms and a shirt that announces “I fight cancer. What’s your superpower?”, Chase jumped onto the couch and snuggled close. His talk turned to the subject that had been plaguing him for about a week now: the upcoming MRI.

Read more »

Dr. Lulla is a St. Baldrick’s researcher studying brain tumors in children. He explains AT/RT symptoms, treatment options, and how research is helping kids with AT/RT.

AT/RT is formally called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. It’s an extremely rare type of brain tumor that mainly affects children under age 3. Occasionally, older children can be diagnosed with AT/RT.

Read more »